Orpington Chickens

Breed Rating (61 Reviews)

Appearance
Friendliness
Hardiness
Egg
Garden

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Orpington History

The Black Orpington was created and introduced in 1886 by William Cook. This new hybrid bird was then named after William's residence in Kent. To create the black he crossed it with Minorcas, Plymouth Rock and Langshans. The White Orpington followed 3 years later and was a cross between a White Leghorn and a Black Hamburg and a White Dorking. This was not such a popular colour at the time. The Buff Orpington was introduced later as people wanted a buff coloured bird. The Queen Mother was apparently a keeper of this bird.

Orpington Behaviour

Orpingtons are birds which like to be free range. They have a very strong tendency to go broody and therefore make great mothers. Their eggs are small and pinkish. They are greedy birds and need exercise to keep fit. Their wingspan is short therefore they can be kept in areas with low fences.

Orpington Varieties

The standard colours for an Orpington are black (single or rose comb), blue (laced) buff and white. They are a heavy but loosely feathered bird which makes it look large. The blues and blacks are the largest colours. The buffs and whites are slightly smaller. The dark colours have dark eyes and legs while the paler colours have red eyes and white legs.

Orpington Status

Rare

Orpington Pictures

Juvenile orpington perching on coop roof.

Lavender Orpington chicks which are 8 days old sat on a carpet

A buff orpington free ranging around the garden.

A curious bugg orpington spending time in the garden.

An orpinton chicken sitting on his head!

A buff orpington chicken called Ginger standing on a podium.

A young buff orpington chicken hanging out.

A little burf orpington sitting on my lap.

A flock of buff orpinton chicken sitting together.

fluffy Orpington chickens in a wooden chicken coop

a few chickens lying in the sun on a muddy ground

Orpington For Sale

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Latest Reviews For Orpington (5 of 61)

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Based on 61 Verified Reviews

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Very friendly hens - Phillis, Hampshire, 14 February 2023

Good garden hens as they are too posh to scratch, they just peck around the in the flower beds and do not create havoc with your special plants. Not great at egg laying, particularly in the winter. Very friendly and good with children. They make ideal pets. Mine lived for nearly 15 years.

- Oliver, 5 November 2020

Buff-orpingtons are my favorite type of chicken we used to have one...but sadly it died These birds are good with goldlines but some other breeds may harm your buff 10/10 review

Very Friendly - Tim, 30 June 2020

Very friendly bird.They always come up to me when I come and give them food. They love dust bathing and huddle up together sometimes.

- Amy, 6 February 2015

I was given two Buff Orpington females as a wedding present last year. I absolutely love them! They are very friendly, they keep very clean and tidy, they don't mess up my garden and they lay quite small eggs but very regularly. They are the perfect hen to get if you have a low fence too! Looking forward to getting some more! :)

A beautiful chicken, very docile and friendly! - Connie, 27 December 2014

when I went chicken-shopping, I was just browsing when I came across these beautiful birds, they were calm and docile and just super friendly! I picked one up and I fell in love with her, get Orpingtons, they are beautiful, pretty chickens, with just such a peaceful, nice characters, I highly recommend the buff Orpington!!

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